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Motivation, Part II - What's Motivating You?
Let's do a quick recap: 👇🏽
In our last EPIC Moment, we discussed motivation. I shared a conversation that I had with the Lord where He told me that motivation was not necessarily a thing of Him... In terms of how the world sees it. When we talk about the main types of motivation in the world, we're discussing intrinsic & extrinsic motivation.
Now that we're caught up... This is part II.
The Lord has shared more with me about motivation... but shifting perspective. Something He made clear to me a while ago was that trying to prove people wrong was a form of vengeance. You're like "I'll show you" or "I'll show you that you're wrong & then you'll feel ____ *insert negative emotion* for what you said about me" and it's trying to punish people by proving them wrong... it's retaliation. However, when we look at scripture, it says Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. (Romans 12:19 NKJV). So we aren't to take it upon ourselves to handle it... what's moving us is faulty.
That brings me to my point... as I was preparing for this blog post, The Lord brought to my attention that the root word of motivation is motive which, according to the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary, is that which incites to action; that which determines the choice, or moves the will. And He said,
What moves you is what you're submitted to.
Think about that for a moment...
When we're talking about motive and what moves you to action, what determines your choice, or what moves your will... that means you're submitted to that entity. Submitted means to yield, resign or surrender to the power, will or authority of another (1828 Noah Webster). That means you've surrendered to it and relinquished all control to it.
Earlier in my post, we talked about vengeance... you allowed the opinion of man to move you to act and not the truth of God. What's moving you? What are you submitted to?
This is why we can't be so general and oblivious when it comes to motivation because the motive matters... it determines what we're submitted to and it shows in our choices. The Bible speaks about motives:
Proverbs 16:2 (NLT) - People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
He examines your motives... what moves you to action and that determines what you are submitted to. We know this because it talks about it in scripture as well: ' “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.' Matthew 12:33-35 (NLT). What you produce is a reflection of what's in your heart.
If we want to look further, we can discuss perfectionism. Multiple sources characterizes it as striving for flawlessness, setting unattainable high standards, self-worth based on achievements, accomplishments, or tasks, and continuing to try to attain them despite how unreasonable. It can be looked at from both an intrinsic and extrinsic perspective: the intrinsic motive is to prove self-worth or value through extrinsic motive of getting the approval of man. However, that should not be the goal and opens the door to other struggles.
Take it all in... I know it was a lot. From this, I want you to consider these questions:
What's motivating me? What's moving me to action?
What am I submitted to? Why?
In reflecting and dealing, you shall find peace as you embark on this journey to truth WITH God.
- Always Be EPIC!
Tamia Breshaé
CEO of EPIC Brand, LLC
Sources:
https://webstersdictionary1828.com/
https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/support/counseling-and-psychological-services/perfectionism
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Perfectionism